So I received my Cuadra machine last evening.I opened it up, and the machine was very wet all over.I dried it off, and set it up according to the printed instruction papers provided inside the box (these also said that this was in addition to the factory instruction booklet, which was NOT inside the package). It also said to remove the protective white film, which was NOT on the machine.After it dried, I set it up according to the instructions. It looked like it was going to work, making all sorts of sounds, pumping water, etc. I tried one cup of coffee, and it was cold. I figured it was because the portafilter had not been hot enough. I emptied the portafilter and reinstalled it so that I could try again later. I went back to the machine about 30 minutes later, only to find that the pressure gauge was dropping, and the green light was no longer on. The machine was still in the on position. I turned it off, waited an hour, and tried to turn it on again. There was no power. I checked the outlet and the power cord, which looked okay, but still no power.It seems like I have a defective machine, and I am somewhat concerned that this may not even be a new machine given the way that it was packaged. Any ideas out there on what the problem is?Thanks!

Hi - first things first, did you make sure that water made it from the reservoir to the boiler? If i remember correctly, you can pinch the tube and you'll hear the pump start to work harder, indicating that it's pulling in water correctly.

Secondly, regarding the cold coffee, how soon after turning it on did you pull a shot? I always wait 30+ minutes.

Finally, for it turning off seemingly for no reason, did you have enough water in the reservoir? If it gets too low, there's a switch (based on the weight of the reservoir) that will override the power switch to ensure that you don't burn out the boiler (since it may not have water in it).

Hope this helps.

I've had this machine since they first offered them through 1st line (about 15 months), and I love it.

Brentvdg--It was certainly working, making the appropriate boiler sounds,etc. I checked the steam and hot water before I tried to pull a shot, and they worked fine.It was about 25 minutes after I turned it on that I did the first shot, but I hadn't put the portafilter in before, so that's why I think is was cold.The tank in back was about 80% full when it turned off.I can't get it to turn back on for the life of me.I took the reservoir out to make sure the spring was there and it looked fine.I have a feeling there's some sort of short somewhere.Think I got a dud.I've contacted the company and they said they would have a specialist call me monday.

I, too, am joining the ranks of Cuadra ownership. I just ordered mine, and will patiently await its arrival. For now, I'm going to be grinding with my Skerton until I can convince the wife that we should purchase a Vario-W :-/ -- just sold an old camera lens to fund the purchase of this machine.

My previous experience has been with a Rancilio Silvia + Rocky that I used at my last place of employment over the course a couple years. I ended up using my Skerton to grind beans as my coworkers kept putting in crappy, greasy dark-roasted beans into the Rocky. I hope the Skerton will be suitable enough to grind for the Cuadra for now; I have the nylon sleeves and will grab a nylock nut to make the grind adjustment stepless, shortly.

I enjoyed drinking espresso and milk-drinks about 1:1 and I was very irritated at having to wait for the Silvia in order to steam milk, and thus my motivation for picking up an HX machine. The temperature surfing was not enjoyable at all, either.

So I talked with the service person this morning, and it turns out my machine is defective. It was not the fuse in the plug area (I removed it and checked).Who knows what the problem it, but it's going back.A new machine should be on it's way soon.Thanks for all your help.

I have had mine for a couple of weeks a now and although I love it, there is one thing driving me nuts. Having to temp surf!! I use so much water up trying to get it down to 203 (meaning 200 at head) that I have to fill this thing way too often. I understand this is with HX but it just seems like to much water.

I have had mine for a couple of weeks a now and although I love it, there is one thing driving me nuts. Having to temp surf!! I use so much water up trying to get it down to 203 (meaning 200 at head) that I have to fill this thing way too often. I understand this is with HX but it just seems like to much water.

that's why, while interested in this la nuova era cuadra machine, i don't really think it is much (if any) of an upgrade to my pasquini livia 90. so, i think i will be keeping my eyes peeled for a used double boiler machine, or a new quick mill qm67...

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